Chip Stacker

ABSTRACT

A chip stacker for a stack of chips includes an elongated chip counter having an upper end and a bottom end to define a height between the upper and bottom end corresponding to an integer number of the chips in a stacking manner. The chip counter has a plurality of longitudinal edges extended from the upper end to the bottom end and a plurality of guiding sidewalls formed between every two of the longitudinal edges, wherein each of the guiding sidewalls has a stacking surface has a predetermined curvature matching with a curvature of the chip, in such a manner that the chip counter is adapted for not only precisely counting the chips between the upper and bottom ends the chip counter but also easily stacking up the chips in an ordered manner when the chips are biased against the stacking surfaces of the guiding sidewalls to space apart the stacked chips side-by-side.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to chips, and more particularly to a chip stacker which is capable of allowing stacking of chips in an organized and accurate manner for convenient counting and utilization of chips in daily life.

2. Description of Related Arts

In a typical gambling situation, gamblers and dealers alike are required to handle a certain number of chips. For gamblers, they may wish to bet a certain amount of money (which is represented by a certain number of chips) for a particular pattern of dices or a particular result of playing cards. For dealers, they are required to pay the gamblers certain amount of money (which is also represented by a certain number of chips) if they win on a particular bet.

A major difficulty in this gambling situation is that it is difficult and time-consuming for gamblers and the dealers to count an exact amount of chips which they need to handle in particular gambling transactions. For example, the dealers may need to hand twenty or thirty chips to a particular gambler. He or she may need to count the correct number of chips and give those chips to the intended gamblers. Conversely, a particular gambler may wish to bet fifty chips on a particular game. He or she needs to count the desired number of chips and put them on a specified area on the gambling table.

Since each game may have limited betting time, and each dealer may be limited by casino's regulation that he or she has to distribute winner's chip within a certain period of time, when the number of chips involved or the number of gamblers involved in a particular game is large, there exists high chance that the dealers or the gamblers miscount the desired number of chips.

Moreover, when the number of chips involved in a particular game is large, there may have a large number of chips spreading over the gambling table, and it may be very hard to distinguish whether or not which chips belong to which gamblers. As a result friction may easily be developed among gamblers.

As a matter of conventional practice, some casinos may provide gamblers with some sorts of containers which they may use to contain chips. When they gamble, however, they have to think of a suitable place for putting the containers. Since the containers are usually bulky in size and difficult to carry, the use of those containers may bring a great deal of hassles to the relevant gamblers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide a chip stacker which is capable of allowing stacking of chips in an organized and accurate manner for convenient counting and utilization of chips in daily life.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a chip stacker comprising an elongated chip counter which is adapted to orderly guide stacking of a predetermined number of chips so as to allow the user to stack a plurality of chips in an ordered manner with accurate knowledge that how many chips he or she has stacked.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a chip stacker which is easy to use, and convenient to carry so that the chip stacker is optimal for use in a typical casino environment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a chip stacker which is capable of forming a wide variety of embodiments so as to maximize the situations where the present invention could be utilized.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a chip stacker for a stack of chips, comprising:

an elongated chip counter having an upper end and a bottom end to define a height between the upper and bottom end corresponding to an integer number of the chips in a stacking manner, wherein the chip counter further has a plurality of longitudinal edges extended from the upper end to the bottom end and a plurality of guiding sidewalls formed between every two of the longitudinal edges, wherein each of the guiding sidewalls has a stacking surface having a predetermined curvature matching with a curvature of the chip, in such a manner that the chip counter is adapted for not only precisely counting the chips between the upper and bottom ends the chip counter but also easily stacking up the chips in an ordered manner when the chips are biased against the stacking surfaces of the guiding sidewalls to space apart the stacked chips side-by-side.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chip stacker according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the chip stacker according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the chip stacker according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an alternative mode of the chip stacker according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a chip stacker for a stack of chips 70 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. According to the preferred embodiment, the chip stacker comprises an elongated chip counter 10. Each of the chips 70 is preferably embodied as conventional chip having a circular cross section with a predetermined radius and thickness.

The elongated chip counter 10 has an upper end surface 11 and a bottom end surface 12 to define a height between the upper and bottom end surface 11, 12 corresponding to an integer number of the chips 70 in a stacking manner, wherein the chip counter 10 further has a plurality of longitudinal edges 13 extended from the upper end surface 11 to the bottom end 12 and a plurality of guiding sidewalls 14 formed between every two of the longitudinal edges 13, wherein each of the guiding sidewalls 14 has a stacking surface 141 having a predetermined curvature matching with a curvature of the chip 70, in such a manner that the chip counter is adapted for not only precisely counting the chips 70 between the upper and bottom end surfaces 11, 12 the chip counter but also easily stacking up the chips 70 in an ordered manner when the chips 70 are biased against the stacking surfaces 141 of the guiding sidewalls 14 to space apart the stacked chips 70 side-by-side.

The chip stacker further comprises a chip retainer 24, having a predetermined thickness and cross-section, detachably affixed at the upper end surface 11 of the elongated chip counter 10 in such a manner that a user is allowed to pull out the elongated chip counter 10 from the stacked chips 70. As a slight alternative, the chip retainer 24 is integrally and upwardly extended from the upper end of the stack counter 10 for allowing the user to lift it up from the stacked chips 70.

Thus, the chip retainer 24 is detachably mounted on the upper end surface 11 of the chip counter 10, wherein the chip retainer 24 has a size adapted for covering at least a portion of the chip 70 at the uppermost position of each of the stacked chips 70 along the respective stacking surface 141, such that the chip retainer 24 not only retains the stacked chips 70 in position but also allows the chip counter 10 to be lifted up to remove the chip counter 10 from the chips 70 after the chips 70 are stacked.

In order to facilitate accurate counting of the chips 70, the elongated chip counter 10 further has a plurality of markers 15 formed on the guiding sidewalls 14 thereof, wherein each of the markers indicates the corresponding number of chips 70 stacked at the height of that marker 15. In other words, the position of each of the markers 15, as characterized by a height thereof, represents the corresponding number of chips 70 stacked at that height. For example, the markers 15 may be spacedly formed along the elongated chip counter 10 as 5-chip mark, 10-chip mark, and 15-chip mark, in which their heights correspond to the height of five chips stacking together, ten chips stacking together, and fifteen chips stacking together respectively.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the chip counter 10 equals to twenty (20) times thickness of each of the chips 70 for stacking up twenty chips 70 at one time at each of the guiding surfaces 141.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, each of the elongated stack counter 10 further comprises a connection unit comprising a first and a second connector 16, 17 (17A) formed at the upper and the bottom end surface 11, 12 of the elongated stack counter 10 for connecting with another elongated stack counter 10 so as to increase the number of stacks which can be stacked by the present invention.

More specifically, the first connector 16 is embodied as a connecting pin protruded from a top surface of the elongated stack counter 10, whereas the second connector 17 is embodied as a connecting slot formed on a bottom end surface 12 of the elongated stack counter 10, wherein the connecting pin of a particular elongated stack counter 10 is adapted for connecting with the connecting slot of another elongated stack counter 10A so as to connect two elongated stack counters 10 (10A) in an end-to-end manner.

In other words, the connecting slot is formed at the bottom end surface 12 and a corresponding connecting pin which is upwardly extended from the upper end surface 11 and is adapted to slidably insert into the connecting slot of another the chip counter 10 so as to engage two the chip counters for double-counting the chips 70 between the upper and bottom end surfaces 11, 12 of the chip counters 10 and increasing number of chips 70 being stacked up in an ordered manner.

As a result, the elongated stack counter 10 may optionally connect with another elongated stack counter 10A or actually with the chip retainer 24 in detachable manner. Therefore, the user may, depending upon the circumstances in which the present invention is utilized, freely pick an optimal embodiment of the present invention.

It is important to point out that each of the stacking surfaces 141 has a curved and uniform cross section having a radius of curvature substantially the same as the chips 70, so that the when a stack of chips 70 is biased against the respective stacking surface 141, the chips 70 will be guided by the stacking surface 141 to stack in an orderly and secure manner, with the exact number of chips 70 known to the user as indicated by the markers 15. Each of the stacking surfaces 141 are crafted and designed to be smooth so as to minimize the friction when the elongated stack counter 10 is lifted from the chips 70. As a result, when the elongated stack counter 10 is lifted up from the chips 70, the chips 70 which have been stacked in the above mentioned manner will not be distorted.

In other words, the chip counter 10 has a uniform cross section such that when the upper end surface 11 of the chip counter 10 is lifted up for removing the chip counter 10 from the chips 70, the stacked chips 70 are precisely and spacedly retained in position.

In other words, the stacking structure of each stack of chips 70 will not be affected by the lifting of the elongated stack counter 10.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the longitudinal edges 13 has a predetermined thickness for substantially separating the three stacking surfaces 141 so that when the chips 70 are tidily stacked by the elongated stack counter 10, each stack of chips 70 are spacedly apart from each other for a predetermined distance so as to allow convenient handling by the user of the present invention.

In other words, the chip counter 10 comprises three guiding arms 18 extending evenly and radially to define the three longitudinal edges 13 and the three stacking surfaces 141 such that the chip counter 10 is adapted for tidily and spacedly stacking up three stacks of chips 70 along the three stacking surfaces 141 respectively.

The operation of the present invention is as follows: the elongated stack counter 10 is first erected on a, say, gambling table. The user is then able to stack a plurality of chips 70 along the guiding sidewalls 14 of the elongated stack counter 10

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, an alternative mode of the chip stacker according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment, except one of the guiding sidewalls 14′ of the elongated stack counter 10′. According to the alternative mode, the guiding surface 141′ of one of the guiding sidewalls 14′ is a flat engaging surface so that two of the elongated stack counters 10′ is adapted to be placed side-by-side for defining four curved stacking surfaces 141′ for stacking four stacks of chips 70′. As a result, the alternative mode has the advantage of providing one more curved stacking surface 141′ for stacking one more stack of chips 70′ as compared to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment.

In other words, each of the chip counter 10′ comprises three guiding arms 18′ extending radially to define the three longitudinal edges 13′, the two stacking surfaces 141′, and one flat engaging surface, wherein the chip counter 10′ is adapted to engage with another the chip counter 10′ side-by-side at the flat engaging surfaces such that the two chip counters 10′ are adapted for tidily and spacedly stacking up four stacks of chips 70′ along the four stacking surfaces 141′ respectively.

It is worth mentioning that, the markers 15 and the first and the second connectors 16, 17 as described above may also be provided to each of the elongated stack counters 10′ so as to further enhance the range of applications of the present invention.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. Its embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A chip stacker for a stack of chips, comprising an elongated chip counter having an upper end surface and a bottom end surface to define a height between said upper and bottom end surface corresponding to an integer number of said chips in a stacking manner, wherein said chip counter is adapted to self-stand still on a ground surface, wherein said chip counter further has a plurality of longitudinal edges extended from said upper end surface to said bottom end surface and a plurality of guiding sidewalls formed between every two of said longitudinal edges, wherein each of said guiding sidewalls has a stacking surface having a predetermined curvature matching with a curvature of said chip, in such a manner that said chip counter is adapted for not only precisely counting said chips between said upper and bottom end surfaces said chip counter but also easily stacking up said chips in an ordered manner when said chips are biased against said stacking surfaces of said guiding sidewalls to space apart said stacked chips side-by-side.
 2. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 1, wherein said chip counter has a uniform cross section such that when said upper end surface of said chip counter is lifted up for removing said chip counter from said chips, said stacked chips are precisely and spacedly retained in position.
 3. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 1, wherein said chip counter further has a plurality of markers formed on each of said guiding sidewalls, wherein each of said markers indicates a corresponding number of chips stacked at said height of said marker for indicating a corresponding number of said chips stacked at said marker.
 4. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 2, wherein said chip counter further has a plurality of markers formed on each of said guiding sidewalls, wherein each of said markers indicates a corresponding number of chips stacked at said height of said marker for indicating a corresponding number of said chips stacked at said marker.
 5. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a connecting unit for connecting said chip counter with another said chip counter end-to-end, wherein said connecting unit has a connecting slot formed at said bottom end surface and a corresponding connecting pin which is upwardly extended from said upper end surface and is adapted to slidably insert into said connecting slot of another said chip counter so as to engage two said chip counters for double-counting said chips between said upper and bottom end surfaces said chip counters and increasing number of chips being stacked up said chips in an ordered manner.
 6. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 2, further comprising a connecting unit for connecting said chip counter with another said chip counter end-to-end, wherein said connecting unit has a connecting slot formed at said bottom end surface and a corresponding connecting pin which is upwardly extended from said upper end surface and is adapted to slidably insert into said connecting slot of another said chip counter so as to engage two said chip counters for double-counting said chips between said upper and bottom end surfaces said chip counters and increasing number of chips being stacked up said chips in an ordered manner.
 7. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a connecting unit for connecting said chip counter with another said chip counter end-to-end, wherein said connecting unit has a connecting slot formed at said bottom end surface and a corresponding connecting pin which is upwardly extended from said upper end surface and is adapted to slidably insert into said connecting slot of another said chip counter so as to engage two said chip counters for double-counting said chips between said upper and bottom end surfaces said chip counters and increasing number of chips being stacked up said chips in an ordered manner.
 8. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a chip retainer detachably mounting on said upper end surface of said chip counter, wherein said chip retainer has a size adapted for covering at least a portion of said chip at the uppermost position of each of said stacked chips along said respective stacking surface, such that said chip retainer not only retains said stacked chips in position but also allows said chip counter to be lifted up to remove said chip counter from said chips after said chips are stacked.
 9. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a chip retainer detachably mounting on said upper end surface of said chip counter, wherein said chip retainer has a size adapted for covering at least a portion of said chip at the uppermost position of each of said stacked chips along said respective stacking surface, such that said chip retainer not only retains said stacked chips in position but also allows said chip counter to be lifted up to remove said chip counter from said chips after said chips are stacked.
 10. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 7, further comprising a chip retainer detachably mounting on said upper end surface of said chip counter, wherein said chip retainer has a size adapted for covering at least a portion of said chip at the uppermost position of each of said stacked chips along said respective stacking surface, such that said chip retainer not only retains said stacked chips in position but also allows said chip counter to be lifted up to remove said chip counter from said chips after said chips are stacked.
 11. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 1, wherein said chip counter comprises three guiding arms extending evenly and radially to define said three longitudinal edges and said three stacking surfaces such that said chip counter is adapted for tidily and spacedly stacking up three stacks of chips along said three stacking surfaces respectively.
 12. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 7, wherein said chip counter comprises three guiding arms extending evenly and radially to define said three longitudinal edges and said three stacking surfaces such that said chip counter is adapted for tidily and spacedly stacking up three stacks of chips along said three stacking surfaces respectively.
 13. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 10, wherein said chip counter comprises three guiding arms extending evenly and radially to define said three longitudinal edges and said three stacking surfaces such that said chip counter is adapted for tidily and spacedly stacking up three stacks of chips along said three stacking surfaces respectively.
 14. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 1, wherein said height of said chip counter equals to 20 times thickness of said chip for stacking up twenty chips at one time at each of said guiding surfaces.
 15. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 10, wherein said height of said chip counter equals to 20 times thickness of said chip for stacking up twenty chips at one time at each of said guiding surfaces.
 16. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 13, wherein said height of said chip counter equals to 20 times thickness of said chip for stacking up twenty chips at one time at each of said guiding surfaces.
 17. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 1, wherein said chip counter comprises three guiding arms extending radially to define said three longitudinal edges, said two stacking surfaces, and one flat engaging surface, wherein said chip counter is adapted to engage with another said chip counter side-by-side at said flat engaging surfaces such that said two chip counters are adapted for tidily and spacedly stacking up four stacks of chips along said four stacking surfaces respectively.
 18. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 4, wherein said chip counter comprises three guiding arms extending radially to define said three longitudinal edges, said two stacking surfaces, and one flat engaging surface, wherein said chip counter is adapted to engage with another said chip counter side-by-side at said flat engaging surfaces such that said two chip counters are adapted for tidily and spacedly stacking up four stacks of chips along said four stacking surfaces respectively.
 19. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 17, wherein said height of said chip counter equals to 20 times thickness of said chip for stacking up twenty chips at one time at each of said guiding surface.
 20. The chip stacker, as recited in claim 18, wherein said height of said chip counter equals to 20 times thickness of said chip for stacking up twenty chips at one time at each of said guiding surface. 